Friction lock for outboard motor throttle hand grip

ABSTRACT

The invention is a friction lock which operates upon a throttle hand grip mounted on the steering arm of an outboard motor. An end cap threaded axially with respect to the steering arm urges the hand grip against the shoulder on the steering arm, thereby creating friction to hold the throttle grip in a selected position.

ilnite States Patent 1 1 [111 3,782,219 Beck et al. Jan. 1, 1974FRICTION LOCK FOR OUTBOARD MOTOR THROTTLE HAND GRIP Inventors: Robert J.Beck; Wilbert Heikkinen;

Robert T. Johnson, all of Oshkash, Wis.

The Brunswick Corporation, Skokie, Ill.

Filed: Apr. 21, 1972 App]. No.: 246,339

Assignee:

U.S. CI. 74/531 Int. Cl G05g 5/06 Field of Search 74/531, 488, 489,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Houk 74/531 X 3% I I] smge w xIll 1 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 544,153 7/l957 Canada 74/480 BPrimary ExaminerMilton Kaufman Assistant Examiner-Frank H. McKenzie, Jr.Att0rney-D0nald S. Olexa, William G. Lawler, J r. et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT The invention is a friction lock which operates upon athrottle hand grip mounted on the steering arm of an outboard motor. Anend cap threaded axially with respect to the steering arm urges the handgrip against the shoulder on the steering arm, thereby creating frictionto hold the throttle grip in a selected position.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAH 11914 SHEEIIUF 2 QIVWARUFRICTION LOCK FOR OUTBOARD MOTOR THROTTLE HAND GRIP BACKGROUND Theinvention is in the field of outboard motor throttle control devices,and more particularly pertains to means for retaining the throttle in aselected position.

One problem with twisting hand grip throttle controls is that they havea tendency to creep away from a selected setting when the drivers handis removed from the hand grip. Many are biased to return to the slowspeed position when released. This is particularly irritating in thoseinstances where a constant speed is desired, for example, when trollingor running at full power. At the same time, it is undesirable topositively lock a throttle in a set position in such a manner that itcannot be readily adjusted in case of emergency.

It is therefore an objective of the invention to provide a device forlocking the twist throttle control hand grip of an outboard motor in anyselected position, but in a manner which permits immediate overcontrolin the case of an emergency.

SUMMARY Basically, the invention comprises a cylindrical handle pieceadapted to rotate freely upon a cylindrical portion of the steering armfor the outboard motor. An end cap, threaded axially thereto withrespect to the steering arm, adjustably abuts the outer end of said handpiece urging it onto the steering arm. Abutment means on the steeringarm frictionally engages the inner end of said hand piece increasinglyrestricting its rotating motion as the end cap is tightened.

Among the advantages of the invention are the ease and speed with whichthrottle friction adjustments can be made, the simplicity of thestructure over prior art throttle grip control linkages and savingswhich can be affected through the use of synthetic materials andplastics as described herein.

Other objectives, advantages and various further features of novelty andinvention will be pointed out or will occur to those skilled in the artfrom a reading of the following specification in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a top view of an outboardmotor steering arm and throttle grip with a friction control device ofthe invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross section through a side elevation of thehandle of FIG. 1 illustrating a throttle friction control mechanism ofthe invention in the engaged position.

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 except that the throttle friction mechanismof the invention is illustrated in the disengaged position.

FIG. 4 is a cross section of a throttle control handle of the inventiontaken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an interior end view of an end cap of the invention takenalong Line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. I shows a steeringarm I for an outboard motor configured to pivotally engage the motorhousing and throttle control mechanisms upon an axis 2 so that it can beraised and lowered. Control of the motor throttle is exercised bytwisting a hand grip 3 mounted upon the steering arm 1. Throttleposition legends 4, typical of the art, may be provided. As will beexplained below, freedom of movement of the hand grip 3 is controlled byadjusting an end cap 5 which causes a frictional force to be exertedupon the body 7 of the hand grip 3.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 the hand grip 3 includes a cylindrical body 7and an elastomeric outer covering 8. The outer extremity of the steeringarm 1 is reduced in diameter forming a basically cylindrical extension10. The body 7 of the hand grip 3 has a bore 12 therein sized to engagethe extension 10 of the steering arm yet freely rotate thereabout. Theextension 10 is contoured to create inner and outer annular bearingelements 13 and 14 respectively, which engage and steady the body 7 ofthe handle grip with the area 15 in between being reduced in diameter soas not to engage the body 7.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated the end cap 5 isconfigured to thread upon the outer extremity of a rectangular rod 17which forms a portion of the throttle control linkage for the motor. Therod 17 extends through an axial bore 16 in the steering arm 1. The bore16 is enlarged at the inner end 18 to receive therein a portion of afitting 19 attached to the inner end of the rod 17. The fitting 19includes an annular shoulder 20 which is engaged by the inner end 21 ofa tubular portion 22 of the steering arm 1.

The end cap 5 has an axial bore 25 therein threaded to receive thethreaded end 26 of the shaft 17.

In operation, as the end cap 5 is threaded onto the shaft 17, its innerface 27 engages the outer edge 28 of the body 7 of the hand grip 3. Asthe shoulder 20 on element 19 will prevent outward movement of the shaft17, further tightening of the end cap 5 will urge the body 7 to theshoulder 11 on the steering arm 1. A washer 29 disposd adjacent theshoulder 11 provides a controlled surface which is frictionally engagedby the inner annular end 30 of the handle body 7. As the handle body 7and the end cap 5 both turn with the shaft 17, there is no relativemotion or friction between the two with a change in power setting.

As best seen in FIG. 4, a bore 31 extending through the outer portion ofthe handle body 7 is rectangular, as is the shaft 17, so that turning ofthe grip 3 rotates the shaft 17 and the end cap 5. As the end cap 5 isfurther tightened, friction between the handle body 7, the washer 29 andthe shoulder 11 is increased. Friction between the element 19 and theinner face 21 of the inner annular portion 22 of the steering handle Iis reduced by a lubricant.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention it has been found mostadvantageous to employ certain plastic materials in the manufacture ofthe body 7, the end cap 5 and the element 19 of the throttle controllinkage. Acetal resin plastic such as DuPont Delrin was selected for thehandle body 7, the washer 29 and the element 19. Nylon was selected forthe end cap 5 and neoprene rubber, impervious to fuels and othersolvents, was selected for the handle grip 8. Aside from the fact thatthese materials offer protection against corrosion, their surfaces aresuitable for frictional engagement without excessive wear. Further, thenylon threading within the end cap 5 will deform upon the tightening ofthe cap and function to resiliently urge the body 7 against the washer29.

FIG. 3 illustrates the above described assembly with the end cap 5backed off of the rod 17 so that the handle 3 rides loosely upon theextension of the steering arm 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates certain elements of the internal structure of thehandle grip 3. The body 7 has four axial lands 33, 34, 35 and 36extending from an annular groove 37 in the forward portion thereof (seeFIG. 3) to the outer end thereof, the purpose of which is to engagematching detents in the neoprene rubber grip 8 which prevents it fromslipping rotationally upon the body 7. The body 7 is reduced in weightby a series of arcuate bores 38, 39, 40 and 41 in the body thereof asillustrated in the drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the periphery of the end cap 5 and the outerend of the neoprene grip 8 are matchingly stepped. The inner annularedge 51 of the neoprene grip 8 is slightly undersized with respect toits receiving step 52 in the cap 5. The frictional engagement betweenthe surfaces 51 and 52, and the relatively fine nylon threads of thecap, together act to prevent its being vibrated loose during motoroperation. This engagement also aids in keeping water and dirt from theinterior of the handle. The body of the cap 5 is also reduced in weightby the presence of three arcuate bores 43, 44 and 45 positioned so thatthe solid annular portions 46 and 47 of the cap 5 engage the solidannular portions 48 and 49 of the handle body 7 when the cap 5 istightened.

The invention thus presents a simple and effective means for creatingand varying frictional restraint to the movement of the throttle grip 3about the steering arm I, and thereby controlling movement of thethrottle linkage shaft 17. It will be apparent to those skilled in theart that retaining shaft 17 in a selected position will effectivelymaintain the engine throttle at a corresponding position.

From the foregoing it can be seen that while sufficient frictional forcecan be brought to bear upon the grip 3 to prevent its turning, that nomechanical lock is applied so that should the operator choose he canvary the throttle setting simply by exerting sufficient rotational forceto overcome the restraining frictional force.

While the principles of the invention have been described in connectionwith the above specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood thatthis description is made only by way of example and not as a limitationto the scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. Throttle control mechanism for an outboard motor comprising athrottle control hand grip rotatingly mounted upon a steering arm of anoutboard motor, and

means for retaining said hand grip in a preselected position comprisingmeans for creating frictional force between the hand grip and thesteering arm in opposition to rotation of said hand grip, includingmeans for adjusting said frictional force creating means whereby thefrictional force opposing rotation of said hand grip can be varied.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said frictional force creating meanscomprises a first movable abutting means;

means for urging said first abutting means against one end of saidhandle grip; and

second abutting means for engaging the other end of said hand grip inopposition to the movement of said first abutting means.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said first abutting means comprises anend cap for said hand grip;

said means for urging said first abutting means against one end of saidhand grip comprises means for threading said cap axially with respect tothe steering handle, and

said second abutting means comprises a stationary shoulder affixed tothe steering handle.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said means for threading said capaxially with respect to said steering handle comprises a throttlecontrol rod extending through a bore in the steering handle;

means attached to said rod to prevent axial movement thereof in thedirection of the outer extremity of said hand grip; and

threads upon the opposite end of said rod upon which said end cap isadjustably engaged, said hand grip being keyed to said control rod sothat said grip and said end cap move in unison.

5. A throttle friction locking device for an outboard motor having atwisting hand grip throttle control located upon its steering arm,comprising a throttle control hand grip member mounted for free rotationupon the steering arm of the outboard motor;

an annular shoulder extending radially of the steering arm adjacent theinner end of said grip member; and

means operative upon the outer end of said grip member for urging saidgrip member and its inner end against said annular shoulder whereby aforce of friction is created opposing twisting motion of the hand gripmember and its associated throttle control.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said means for urging said grip memberagainst said annular shoulder comprises a first threaded member affixedto said steering arm and extending axially thereto; and

a second member having threads adapted to rotationally advance andretard axially with respect to said first member;

said second member configured to engage the outer end of said hand gripmember; and

at least one of said members having threads made of a resilientlydeformable material so that a resilient bias is imparted to said handgrip member when said second member is threaded into engagementtherewith.

1. Throttle control mechanism for an outboard motor comprising athrottle control hand grip rotatingly mounted upon a steering arm of anoutboard motor, and means for retaining said hand grip in a preselectedposition comprising means for creating frictional force between the handgrip and the steering arm in opposition to rotation of said hand grip,including means for adjusting said frictional force creating meanswhereby the frictional force opposing rotation of said hand grip can bevaried.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said frictional force creatingmeans comprises a first movable abutting means; means for urging saidfirst abutting means against one end of said handle grip; and secondabutting means for engaging the other end of said hand grip inopposition to the movement of said first abutting means.
 3. The deviceof claim 2 wherein said first abutting means comprises an end cap forsaid hand grip; said means for urging said first abutting means againstone end of said hand grip comprises means for threading said cap axiallywith respect to the steering handle, and said second abutting meanscomprises a stationary shoulder affixed to the steering handle.
 4. Thedevice of claim 3 wherein said means for threading said cap axially withrespect to said steering handle comprises a throttle control rodextending through a bore in the steering handle; means attached to saidrod to prevent axial movement thereof in the direction of the outerextremity of said hand grip; and threads upon the opposite end of saidrod upon which said end cap is adjustably engaged, said hand grip beingkeyed to said control rod so that said grip and said end cap move inunison.
 5. A throttle friction locking device for an outboard motorhaving a twisting hand grip throttle control located upon its steeringarm, comprising a throttle control hand grip member mounted for freerotation upon the steering arm of the outboard motor; an annularshoulder extending radially of the steering arm adjacent the inner endof said grip member; and means operative upon the outer end of said gripmember for urging saiD grip member and its inner end against saidannular shoulder whereby a force of friction is created opposingtwisting motion of the hand grip member and its associated throttlecontrol.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein said means for urging saidgrip member against said annular shoulder comprises a first threadedmember affixed to said steering arm and extending axially thereto; and asecond member having threads adapted to rotationally advance and retardaxially with respect to said first member; said second member configuredto engage the outer end of said hand grip member; and at least one ofsaid members having threads made of a resiliently deformable material sothat a resilient bias is imparted to said hand grip member when saidsecond member is threaded into engagement therewith.